Parenting Book Recommendations for Intentional Parents

Parenting is a journey filled with joy, challenges, and countless opportunities for growth—not just for our children, but for us as parents too. For those embracing intentional parenting, the focus goes beyond meeting basic needs; it’s about raising children with mindfulness, purpose, and a deep connection to their unique selves.

If you’re seeking guidance, inspiration, or fresh perspectives on this path, parenting books can be a powerful resource. From nurturing emotional intelligence to fostering strong family bonds, these books offer practical tools and heartfelt wisdom for creating a home where children thrive, and parents feel empowered.

In this post, I'm sharing the list of parenting books that I have found value in. Whether you’re just starting this journey or looking to deepen your understanding, these recommendations will help you navigate parenthood with clarity, compassion, and confidence. Let’s dive in!

Things to note:

1. I don't necessarily agree with everything in all of these books. But nonetheless I found value in reading them and their content.

2. This page may contain affiliate links, and I may earn a small commission if you use the link. It costs you nothing and it supports me in putting out information.

3. Since I am constantly reading parenting books - this is an ongoing list, and I will continue to update this page. Check back periodically.

4. The Headings and Images are links for you to easily go to the book.

Let's get started with one of the books I recommend the most to parents:

I'm Here and I'm Listening by Marion Rose

Please Note: I discovered the work of Marion Rose when Elba was one which is why I read "I'm Here and I'm Listening". For moms of babies (or preparing for baby's arrival) I recommend her book "The Emotional Life of Babies: Find closeness, presence and sleep for you and your baby with this compassionate approach to crying". This one covers the first year and "I'm Here and I'm Listening" covers toddlers and children. While I have not read "The Emotional Life of Babies" myself, I have recommended it to mom friends who've share extensively with me that it was life changing.

I've read many parenting books about how we respond and connect to our children, and I found value in them, but there were always parts I did not agree with (some of them are listed in this blog). One of the key things that I often didn't agree with was around 'emotional regulation' and various tips and techniques for lessening children's anger/rage or crying. This was the first resource I read that spoke of "healing feelings" and how we sometimes heal and release through a good cry (I mean this makes so much sense! We all know the feeling of a good cry, especially in the presence of a loved one holding space for all of us, and how healing that experience is). Being truly heard and seen is one of the most life enriching experiences.

This book and the content aligned so well with Nonviolent Communication, which is also why is appealed to me. If you haven't read Nonviolent Communication by Marshall Rosenberg, I highly recommend it as a starting point. It is not a parenting book per say, but it extends to all areas of life and to date is the most valuable book I've read. The additional value I found in "I'm Here and I'm Listening" is the context of toddlers and "healing feelings". I am well versed in "needs" and "feelings" and making requests, but "healing feelings" was an additional element that intuitively felt like it was a missing piece of connecting to my toddler.

"I'm Here and I'm Listening" essentially covers 'Aware Parenting'. Now I don't personally attach to a single parenting paradigm. I may use terms like 'aware parent', 'conscious parent', 'intentional parent', 'crunchy parent', etc. But I use those only for quick context. That all being said the three aspects of Aware Parenting resonate with me and I do subscribe to them:

1. Attachment-style parenting;

2. Non-punitive discipline; and

3. Prevention of, and healing from, stress and trauma - including through empathetic listening to children's emotions".

I highly recommend reading this book.

Go Diaper Free by Andrea Olson

Buy it directly from GoDiaperFree or Amazon.

This book is one of the more expensive ones on this list, BUT I found it to be a very valuable resource for Elimination Communication. I wrote a whole blog on resources for elimination communication and whether I think it is worth buying the book.

I have the book. I read it in pregnancy, and I liked having it. I think elimination communication is a wonderful thing we do for our children and for us as parents and our connection to our children. EC aligns, for me, so well with deep connection to our children, respecting them as a whole person and facilitating communication. It has the added benefit of way less diapers and out of diapers earlier than typical potty-training age. I have made many videos detailed our Elimination Communication journey on Youtube.

Safe Infant Sleep by James J. Mckenna

This is the only book about sleep I recommend to parents.

I usually recommend reading it in pregnancy, but the second-best time is now. I wish I had read it in pregnancy. I read it when Elba was a few days old (Actually I listened to it on Audible and loved it so much I bought a physical copy).

My only criticism of this book is the title. The title does not capture how amazing this book is. It makes it seem like a purely factual book and don't get me wrong it contains loads of very useful facts and statistics, but it is so much more than that. It validates what many mothers intuitively feel. I knew I wanted to "breastsleep" (I didn't know that term existed though) in pregnancy, but I had all the loud voices put fear in my mind. This book helped me navigate fact from fear-based information and it reaffirmed what I already knew - that our babies with us is so important for mom and for baby.

Co-sleeping features in several of the books in this list as ways to connect with our babies. It is important to know how to do it safely and that is covered in "Safe Infant Sleep". James McKenna also has a way of speaking and writing that leads you to trust him because he comes across as really having moms and babies' best interests at heart.

On a similar note of books that unpack "public policy", next up a medical book.

How to Raise a Healthy Child in Spite of your Doctor by Robert S. Mendelsohn, M.D

This book is quite old, but still so valuable! As a postpartum mom worrying about my child, this book was empowering in terms of when can a child heal at home (and is better for them to do so) and when should you seek professional help.

It also unpacks a few of the 'behind the scenes' things about pediatricians that I believe parents benefit from being aware of so that they can turn to professionals for aid, when necessary, but not abdicate responsibility of their child's health or blindly follow any one person's opinion.

On that note I also recommend that parents made an informed decision about vaccines and therefore I recommend reading up about vaccines in pregnancy. The books I recommend are Miller's Review of Critical Vaccine Studies by Neil Z. Miller and The Vaccine Book by Robert W. Sears (for parents who want to some or want to delay or an alternative schedule). There are many more like a Shot in the Dark or the book by Robert Kennedy Jr, but I limited how much content I wanted to read of this topic since I felt I read enough to make an informed decision on what was best for us.

For parents who opt out of vaccines I recommend (actually I recommend it even if parents op in): The Unvaccinated Child: A treatment Guide for Parents and Caregivers.

I understand this is a controversial aspect of parenting, but like all areas of our lives and parenting I think it's important we make intentional decisions rather than default decisions because there is societal shame in even seeking out information on this topic. As parents we make this decision on behalf of our littles, and I am so aware of the magnitude of that responsibility. It's not a decision I would take lightly and not a decision I would make without seeking out information from all sides.

Moving on to less controversial topics.

The Montessori Baby & The Montessori Toddler by Simone Davies

Like I said before, I don't subscribe to one parenting paradigm, but I do take inspiration from several of them and find value in them. I found both these Montessori books valuable. I have implemented a lot from them, even though there are some Montessori things that I do not subscribe to. These books are very practical and in particular I appreciated the guide to toys in the toddler book to ensure that I had the appropriate things in Elba's environment for different skill development.

Of the two I found more value in The Montessori Toddler, but that is because I am already very familiar with the Montessori principles and this could apply the ones I wanted to, to our baby without reading the book.

A better baby book in my opinion would be the following one.

The Theory of Objectivist Parenting by Roslyn Ross

This book is very short and a quick read.

As you can see, I definitely do take inspiration from several parentings' paradigms. This book covers 'Objectivist Parenting'. I appreciated this book in terms of approaching an infant as a whole person and with respect. It inspired much of how I spoke to, held and cared for tiny baby Elba.

The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt

I had this one on my to read list and then bumped it up on the priority list after a friend said she read it, and it was really worthwhile. I can confirm - it is worthwhile reading for all parents. It is for parents of older children, but I read it now while Elba is a toddler and I am happy I did. It gives me time to implement the things we want to around creating a wholesome childhood. See my full review and recommendation here.

Still to come...

I figured rather than leave this unpublished while I finish the list (although it will be updated constantly), I would publish it so long since this is a highly requested blog.

Here are more books I recommend that I will still write reviews for:

1. Raising Children Compassionately: Parenting the Nonviolent Communication way by Marshall B. Rosenberg.

2. The Nurture Revolution: Grow Your Baby's Brani and Transform their Mental Health through the Art of Nurtured Parenting by Greer Kirshenbaum.

3. Elevating Childcare by Janet Landsbury

4. No Bad Kids by Janet Landsbury

5. The Nourishing Traditions Book of Baby & Child Care by Sally Fallon Morell

6. The Baby Book by the Sears Family

7. Books by Gabor Mate

and more ...

I will also share my list of books I intend to read. I am currently reading "There's no such thing as bad weather" by Linda McGurk.

Conclusion

Parenting is an ever-evolving journey, and the right resources can make all the difference in how we navigate it. The books recommended here are more than just guides—they are companions that inspire, challenge, and empower us to approach parenting with intention and purpose. By diving into these insightful reads, you’ll not only gain practical tools but also cultivate a deeper connection with yourself and your child.

Now it’s your turn! Which of these books resonates with your parenting journey? Or do you have a favorite parenting book that’s not on this list? Share your thoughts and recommendations in the comments below—I’d love to hear from you!

If you found this post helpful, don’t forget to share it with fellow intentional parents. Together, we can create a community dedicated to raising the next generation with love, mindfulness, and purpose. 💕

Please remember with everything I share:

Take what serves you and leave what doesn't